Whether you are visiting Fort Hamilton for the weekend, on PCS, or calling it home for the next few years, there are a variety of activities and places to visit in the Brooklyn neighborhood. The trouble will be deciding what to do first. Home to over 2.5 million people, Brooklyn is a cultural epicenter. And because of this diversity, Brooklyn has many interesting things to offer.

Photo credit: Wally Gobetz

When staying on post, the Fort Hamilton Community Club hosts a number of weekly and monthly activities that are a great way to make friends within the local military community. Karaoke Thursdays and Latin Nights are a great way to connect. Look for a few on-post recreational leagues for the sport-minded crowd. For the history buffs, Harbor Defense Museum is located right on post. It is the only military museum in New York City.

Once you have your fill on post, head off post to explore the neighborhood! Brooklyn, home of Fort Hamilton, is one of New York’s largest boroughs. To start, if you’re a history and outdoors buff, the borough’s first official park, Fort Greene Park, holds a significant place in local and national history. It was originally the site of forts built for the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 before being declared a park in 1847. Nearby Prospect Park is known more for its variety of natural and geographical features, including the 90-acre Long Meadow, a 60-acre lake, and the Grand Army Plaza—for running and biking. It is also the last remaining forest in Brooklyn.

To help you plan your daily or weekends to-dos, here are some local favorites and must-see hot spots around Fort Hamilton:

• Brooklyn Museum: Features a collection that includes ancient Egyptian masterpieces, African art, European painting, decorative arts, period rooms, and contemporary art
• Brooklyn Brewery: Take a brewery tour and try its famous Brooklyn Lager
• Brooklyn Bowl: Sixteen bowling lanes along with great food and beer
• Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club: Reserve a court and tap into your competitive side
• BAM: Brooklyn Academy of Music
• The Music Hall of Williamsburg: Local or big name concerts and shows
• Brooklyn Nets Basketball: Local area NBA franchise
• Green-Wood Cemetery: A National Historic landmark and one of the first rural cemeteries in the United States
• The Brooklyn Botanic Garden: The area is best in urban gardening and horticultural display
• Grand Army Plaza: See the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch, and the John F. Kennedy Monument

Get a taste of New York City history at L&B Spumoni Gardens, or take a bite out of “the most famous hot dog in the world” at the original Nathan’s store at the famous Coney Island. If Coney Island is too far to grab a hot dog, there is a Nathan’s on 86^th Street nearby Dyker Beach Golf Course in Brooklyn! It’s a mile away from Fort Hamilton.

For a night out with your significant other, try a classy Parisian dining experience at Maison Premiere, which is known for its fresh oysters and exotic cocktails. Or if you are craving a big, juicy steak, Peter Luger’s Steak House is a local favorite.

Brooklyn’s dining and nightlife options are just as varied as its population. In particular, the DUMBO (by the Brooklyn Bridge), Park Slope, Williamsburg, and Greenpoint neighborhoods are artsy, eclectic, and known for great dining and shopping. While it is almost impossible to describe all of the different dining choices Brooklyn has to offer, here are some hotspots for consideration:

• Burger Bistro: Build-your-own burger with over two million combinations; two miles from Fort Hamilton
• Junior’s Cheesecake: Brooklyn landmark for fabulous cheesecakes
• Prime Meats: Farm-to-table restaurant created in the spirit of the inns and dining rooms found in New York at the turn of the century
• Applewood in Park Slope: Daily-changing menu and seasonal cocktails centered around sustainably grown, local products
• Roberta’s in Greenpoint: Delicious pizza and a great craft beer/wine selection
• Five Leaves: Good option any time of the day, cozy atmosphere, American-style cuisine
• Egg: A local breakfast and brunch favorite
• The River Café: Classic New American menu, well known for its East River views
• Train: Wide selection of delicious small plates
• Ragdegast Hall & Biergarten: Enjoy a taste of authentic Austro-Hungarian fare in Brooklyn
• Chef’s Table: Brooklyn’s only three Michelin-starred restaurant
• Bistro Petit: Modern French cuisine with Northeast Asian influences

Lastly, for military families and guests visiting Brooklyn, staying on post offers huge advantages for keeping your work and personal life balanced. At Fort Hamilton, there is convenient on-post Army lodging available at Holiday Inn Express Building 107 on Fort Hamilton, managed by IHG Army Hotels. Located right under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, the amenities include:

• Free hot breakfast
• Weekly dinner socials
• Free high-speed Internet
• On-site guest self-laundry facilities